Depression

[Veritas]

Depression is more than just a low mood - it's a serious illness. While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time and often without reason. People with depression find it hard to function every day and may be reluctant to participate in activities they once enjoyed.

Depression is one of the most common of all mental health problems. One in five people experience depression at some stage of their lives.*

beyondblue aims to provide clear and comprehensive information about depression. This*website will take you step-by-step through the symptoms of depression; how to recognise it, how to get help, how to help someone and how to stay well. beyondblue also provides recommendations on where to find additional information and links to other useful organisations.

Beyond Blue is the Australian national depression initiative (of which I am involved). It is a treasure trove of information.

Major Depression is as serious an illness as cancer. Each see people lose their lives. Depression is a very personal and self-centred illness. If you are ever having thoughts that someone you love or know has depression ... it is time for you to reach out. The sufferer will be very insular, and say "I'm fine" when asked how they are. Yet inside they will be torn apart. Every waking moment of every day is an agonising struggle. I liken it to having the worst migraine (or hangover) imaginable. The sufferer is simply overwhelmed.

Looking back, a compassionate person of faith, with real humanity, would have been ideal for me. Men keep quiet and struggle through. They need to learn to open up and confide in others, but it is choosing the people who you can trust first to do so.

 

[Veritas]

Types of Depression

Different types of depression often have slightly different symptoms and may require different treatments. The five main types of depression are listed below.*

Major depression - a depressed mood that lasts for at least two weeks. This may also be referred to as clinical depression or unipolar depression.

Psychotic depression - a depressed mood which includes symptoms of psychosis. Psychosis involves seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), feeling everyone is against you (paranoia) and having delusions.

Dysthymia - a less severe depressed mood that lasts for years.

Mixed depression and anxiety - a combination of symptoms of depression* and anxiety.*

Bipolar disorder - (formerly known as manic depressive illness) - involves periods of feeling low (depressed) and high (manic).

Is depression common?

Very common. Around one million Australian adults and 100,000 young people live with depression each year. On average, one in six people will experience depression in their lifetime - one in five females and one in eight males.

Signs and Symptoms

If you notice any behavioural changes that last for more than two weeks in family members*or friends, then it is worth asking if the person may be depressed.

Common behaviour associated with depression includes:

- moodiness that is out of character
- increased irritability and frustration
- finding it hard to take minor personal criticisms
- spending less time with friends and family
- loss of interest in food, sex, exercise or other pleasurable activities
- being awake throughout the night
- increased alcohol and drug use
- staying home from work or school
- increased physical health complaints like fatigue or pain
- being reckless or taking unnecessary risks (e.g. driving fast or dangerously)
- slowing down of thoughts and actions.

 

[Veritas]

What Puts a Person at Risk?

Most people assume that depression is caused simply by recent personal difficulties. Depression however, is often caused by the mix of recent events and other longer-term or personal risk factors.

Research indicates that ongoing difficulties, such as long-term unemployment or living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, are more likely to cause depression than recent life stressors. Depression can also run in families and some people will be at increased genetic risk. However, this doesn't mean that you will automatically become depressed if a parent or close relative has had the illness. Life circumstances are still likely to have an important influence on your chances of becoming ill.

It's also common for people to experience depression and anxiety at the same time.

Common medical causes of depression include:*

- Low thyroid function
- Brain injuries and diseases (eg. stroke, heart disease, head injury, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease)
- Some forms of cancer
- Infectious diseases
- Blood vessel disease in the brain due to diabetes and/or hypertension
- Some steroid and hormonal treatments
- Anaemia
- Chronic pain
- Quitting smoking.
- High-risk personality being:*

A lifelong worrier
A perfectionist
Sensitive to personal criticism
Unassertive
Self-critical and negative
Shy, socially anxious and having low self-esteem.

Common tests done by a doctor include:*

- Full blood count and biochemistry
- Thyroid function tests
- Urine test for sugar and protein
- Occasionally, a brain scan.

It's important to note that you can't always identify the cause of depression nor change troubling circumstances. The most important thing is to recognise the depression and to seek help.

Remember, the sooner you get treatment, the greater the chance of a faster recovery.

Depression is an illness that is likely to get worse if left untreated.

There are many health professionals and services available*to provide information, treatment and support.

It is important to learn about the types of effective treatments*available and how to access them.*

The following pages outline the main types of*help available:

Urgent Assistance - call for immediate medical assistance, family, friends, Lifeline etc., if the person is having suicidal thoughts

Psychological Treatment

Types of treatment

Psychological treatments used by psychologists and psychiatrists may not only help a person to recover, but can also help to prevent a recurrence of depression.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

One of the most effective psychological treatments is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). CBT is a structured program which recognises that the way people think affects the way they feel.*CBT teaches people to think rationally about common difficulties, helping a person to change their thought patterns and the way they react to certain situations.

When people are depressed, they may think negatively about:

themselves e.g. "I'm a failure.", "No one loves me."
the world e.g. "There is nothing good out there."
the future e.g. "Things will never improve!".
Negative thinking interferes with recovery and makes the person more vulnerable to depression in the future. It is important to recognise unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more realistic thoughts.

As well as helping people manage negative thoughts, CBT also involves looking at behaviour. This includes helping people find new ways of going about their everyday life. This can include the way a person may react to certain people or situations and/or how a person might plan their day.

Learning these techniques can help recovery and prevent relapse.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

People with depression may sometimes be easily upset by other people's comments. They may feel criticised when no criticism was intended. IPT helps people find new ways to get along with others.*

Family Therapy

Family and close friends of a depressed person need to know more about the illness because their support and understanding is very important. Family Therapy helps family members and close friends learn about depression. It helps people find new ways to support and get along with the family member or friend who has depression.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

This form of therapy is usually long term and looks at how past experiences affect people. It focuses on the way childhood and earlier life experiences affect how the person thinks and acts now. It has been found to be particularly helpful in treatment and management of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and phobias, particularly those first experienced in childhood.

Where to get treatment

Psychologists

Psychologists are health professionals who provide psychological therapies and treatments. These are generally known as 'Talking Therapies'. Psychologists (including clinical psychologists) are not doctors and cannot prescribe medication in Australia. More information is available on our links*page. *

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental health. They can make medical and psychological assessments, conduct medical tests and prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists use psychological treatments like CBT, IPT and/or prescribe medication.

When is a psychiatrist or psychologist needed?

A doctor may suggest the person sees a specialist if:

the depression is severe*
the depression is chronic*
the depression is associated with a high risk of self-harm*
the depression has failed to respond to treatment*
the doctor feels the person requires more specialised expertise to be treated effectively.

 

[Veritas]

Stress is common in daily life and may be associated with work, family or personal relationships. Whatever the cause, there are some simple steps which can help to reduce stress.

Ways of Managing Stress

(1) Reducing stress and anxiety

Practise slow-breathing exercises to decrease stress and anxiety.
Learn and practise relaxation techniques.
Understand how*important physical activity is for good mental health.
For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 6 - Reducing stress.

(2) Getting enough sleep*

Difficulty sleeping is a common problem.
Depression disturbs sleep and disrupts the body clock.
Sleeplessness and being tired may lead to irritability, lack of energy and poor concentration.
It's not the total length of sleep that matters, but the quality of deep sleep and dream sleep.
Most deep sleep occurs during the first five hours after falling asleep at night. Even if a person sleeps for only four or five hours, they will still get about the same amount of deep sleep as someone who sleeps for eight to 10 hours.
For more information on sleeping problems see beyondblue Fact Sheet 7 - Sleeping well.
(3) Keeping active

Regular gentle exercise is helpful.*
Exercise such as walking, swimming, yoga, dancing, golf or a gym workout can help relieve mental tension, as well as muscle tension.
Try to do some exercise every day, even if it's just walking around the block.
It's important to have an activity plan.*
Continue to do things that give a sense of achievement.
Plan activities to keep active.
Maintain social contact.
Be physically active.
For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 8 - Keeping active.
(4) Reducing alcohol and other drugs

Many people try to make themselves feel better with alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis and other drugs.
Although these substances may provide temporary relief, they may also cause long-term problems.
Most illegal drugs and alcohol interfere with the effects of antidepressant drugs. If a person has been consuming large amounts of alcohol or drugs, it's important to tell the doctor, so an appropriate treatment plan can be devised.
For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 9 - Reducing alcohol and drugs.
Dealing with a bad day

Everyone has sad days. Everyone has times when things are really tough. Here are some suggestions to help deal with the bad days.

(1) Don't stay in bed

It's best to get up and get on with a normal routine as soon as possible e.g. going to work, school/university, meeting friends or family. If a person is based at home, it may help to go outside for a while and do some physical activity like walking to get the newspaper. Avoid napping during the day, as it upsets the 'body clock' and makes it harder to fall asleep at night.

For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 7 - Sleeping well.

(2) Catch up with friends

When people get depressed, often they don't feel like socialising, but it's important to continue to talk to your family and friends. Talk to them on the phone or organise to meet for a coffee or go to a movie. If people remain isolated, there's a greater risk of developing depression.

(3) Keep active

Plan to do at least one enjoyable activity every day. This may be reading, listening to music, watching movies, going to the beach or park, gardening, taking part in sport or seeing friends. Regular activities are important to maintain good mental and physical health. At first, finding the activities enjoyable may be a challenge, but persistence is the key.

Exercise physiologists are people who have an understanding of how exercising affects the body and mind. They can help people get motivated, develop an individual exercise plan and stay on track. Their fee*may*also be*subsidised by Medicare. For more information*visit our links page.

For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 8 - Keeping active.

(4) Learn to manage stress

Take time out. Go for a walk, play sports or take up meditation.

Stress can affect how you breathe and cause muscle tension. Breathing quickly and having tense muscles can, in turn, make you feel more stressed. You can stop this vicious cycle, by learning and practising new breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.

For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 6 - Reducing stress.

Keep your eyes open

If you notice symptoms of depression, it's important to act early. For more information see beyondblue Fact Sheet 3 - Understanding depression.

Try the interactive checklists on this website to find out if you or someone you know may have depression.

Exercise your rights

We all have the right to be treated fairly and equally. If you feel that you, or someone you care for, is not being treated fairly or equally because of their illness, you should contact the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Discrimination Line. Ph. (03) 9284 9600.

For more information on the rights of people with depression in the workplace, see beyondblue's*Information Sheet*- Do you have to tell your employer you have depression?

For more information on the rights of people with depression and related disorders in obtaining insurance, go to the Discrimination in Insurance Program webpage.

 

[Veritas]

Practical Ways to Help

People with depression/anxiety often don’t see the point of doing anything and may feel that no one can really help them. The type and amount of help you’re able to provide may depend upon your relationship with the person experiencing depression/anxiety.

Helping someone who isn’t ready to recognise they need assistance may be very difficult. Below are some do’s and don’ts for helping a person with depression/anxiety.
do – you can help someone by:

• Spending time talking about their experiences
• Indicating that you’ve noticed a change in their behaviour
• Letting them know you’re there to listen without being judgemental
• Suggesting they see a doctor or health professional
• Assisting them to make an appointment with a doctor or health professional
• Going with the person to the doctor or health professional
• Asking how their appointment went
• Assisting them to find information about depression/anxiety
• Talking openly about depression/anxiety
• Encouraging them to become involved in social activities
• Encouraging them to exercise and eat well
• Providing a change of scenery occasionally
• Maintaining contact
• Encouraging other close friends and family to adopt a similar, inclusive approach
• Encouragingthemtopracticestressmanagementand relaxation techniques (see beyondblue Fact sheet 6 – reducing stress).

If anyone would any information or someone to talk to regarding this horrible illness, please send me a message. I am happy to help where I can and listen.

 

[nila11]

Depression is status of low mood and dislike to activity that can involve a person feelings, attitudes, feelings and sense of uncomforting

 

[rehan125]

I think there is a lot of stigma to when someone falls into depression especially long term. It is NOT a sign of weak Iman. It is NOT something to be ashamed about. And surely one should never try to seek divorce just because your partner fell into depression which was not her desire to fall into nor was it her way to gain attention.

Depression can be a chemical in balance in the brain triggered by events like divorce, losing a loved one, job loss, moving or any number of events. One would not be able to tell if their depression is a chemical imbalance or if it was by situational events. If depression does not clear in 1-2 months then you may be struggling with the chemical imbalance. There is a ton of hope to help make you feel normal. First go to your Medical Doctor and explain your feelings and they will prescribe you anti-depressants which do not give you any kind of high or weird feeling only you feel normal. No longer sad, crying without cause. It will take a maximum of one week to feel the affects of the medication.

Exercise is proven to help as well. Try doing 15 minutes of beginners exercise and build up from there as you feel you are building endurance.

In Islam we are to have love and mercy with our spouses not love and intolerance. One should never feel it is Taboo to seek Medical Help.

Depression is common now a days even in Muslim countries it is increasing with such growth

 

[M.I.A.]

i hope you all feel well,

when you feel sad you know whats making you sad.

so why do the reasons for depression not make themselves so easy to spot?


i know you could go into the medical causes.. chemical imbalances and such, although they probably differ from when i went to uni.
but its just a case of chicken and egg really.

anyway the only real way out of depression is breaking the cycle.

knowing what triggers you so that you dont have to live through it again. and again.

..i guess thats why people find it hard to shake off.


also dont complain. alhamdullillah.

when your not feeling down with yourself, you might actually find stairs that lead up.


(its not a blanket answer, people are successful and still get depressed..no idea why)

anyway i suppose the people around you are the ones that can really make a difference, so find good people.

 

[greenhill]

when you feel sad you know whats making you sad.

so why do the reasons for depression not make themselves so easy to spot?


i know you could go into the medical causes.. chemical imbalances and such .........

anyway the only real way out of depression is breaking the cycle.

knowing what triggers you so that you dont have to live through it again. and again.

..i guess thats why people find it hard to shake off.

I like! I have not said anything because I was afraid to make an insensitive comment on this matter.

Depression is something I cannot fully understand. Not that I am ignorant about it or perhaps even insensitive. I can understand sad, very sad, extremely sad, a period of sadness, gloomy, gloominess, hopeless, hopelessness, (if combined, it will be a period of utter disaster), I will probably be down, shaky even wobbly, but I won't believe that I am out! I will need time to rebuild. Maybe not be the same thing again, but definitely I won't accept lying down on the ground indefinitely (which is to me like being in a depressed state). I personally believe I can do better as anyway from 'down' is up. Just have to find a way to change that mind set. In syaa Allah.

As the related story above somewhere about the prophet crying in his state of sadness and in seeking forgiveness(?) from Allah, yes I agree, but that was for a moment in time, he was back to his usual self after, it was not for a prolonged state. It may be repeated some time or other, but not in anyway that could be construed to be a 'suicidal' way which may afflict those who are 'disturbed' or depressed. This is not to say that all depression leads to suicide.

As I said, I do not really understand depression, I have known several who suffer, been close to a couple, and I noticed there is a certain resignation in a particular aspect of their life that kind of overwhelms them. I wished I could get through, but my time with them came to an end. One had attempted suicide, the other had mild depression. Can't remember if they were or not on medication. I think one was.

If I have said anything to offend anyone, I apologise in advance. I accept I may stand to be corrected.

Peace :shade:

p.s. everything I say above is not without the necessity of having your imaan in place, ie, intention, patience, effort, charity, honesty, duty

 

[shayanjameel08]

First thing's first, ask for help and support. Also try making healthy lifestyle changes, and ask for professional help.